know you like these. Dig in, people.”
Keith and Tori sit with us to eat. I drag my clam through butter and put it in my mouth. I moan a little at the flavor I do enjoy. Andre is next to me, and his hand squeezes my thigh. I imagine he’s remembering an earlier version of my small noise.
“So,” says Keith, “since we sent you guys down to Brunswick, I hear things have settled down.”
Adrian says, “Yeah. We had a little scuffle the first week, but Brady was right. Just our presence has calmed the La Verdier clan down.”
I glance quickly at Ginny, and her eyes are wide, so I ask, “What are you talking about?”
Andre says, “My brothers and I were sent to your town to keep a rogue clan of werebear from causing more trouble.”
I recall the security boxes that popped up on campus over Thanksgiving and the new rule about night escorts that led to meeting my true mate. “Ah. I wondered what the heightened security was all about.”
Ginny says, “You mean we were in danger all this time, and nobody told us?”
Adrian says, “Actually, only a select few are in danger. But we know who you are, and you’re all under surveillance.” He winks at her. “Some more than others.”
“Wait. Surveillance?” I ask.
“Yes,” says Tori. “Apparently word got out that a spell could be cast on human women with werebear genes to be called to more than just the Le Roux clan.” Her beer bottle thumps down on the table harder than necessary. “It was only a matter of time before less-than-honorable werebear figured out how to use it to their advantage.”
Ginny says, “Oh my god. Who else on campus is like us?”
Adrian licks butter off his fingers and sighs. “I’m not sure we should say. These women could go on to live perfectly normal human lives, and it might be best if they never have any idea.”
I think about the night Tori came to visit us and turned my world upside down when she told us that our father was a werebear. I place my hand on Andre’s arm, and the heat of him on my palm comforts me. “Or they could be missing out on their destiny. I think they might want to know.”
Tori says, “That’s a discussion for another time. Right now, you all need to finish these clams while I go tend to the lobsters.”
I gaze at Tori, and her stare makes me realize she’s far more mature than I remember. I glance at Ginny and give her a slight nod to let her know I think we should let the subject drop. But I hope the Lindquist brothers don’t plan on keeping us in the dark, because we’ll be demanding answers. For now though, I plan to enjoy my New Year’s Eve.
I get up to help Tori clear the table for the next round of food. I ask, “Anyone need another beer?”
I get a few takers, and caps pop off bottles as I open them. Our next round is lobster, and I’m looking forward to one of my favorite foods. We manage to eat enough shellfish that two large garbage cans are full of remains when we’re done. After Ginny and I clean the kitchen, we all gather in the living room to socialize before midnight comes.
Keith has turned on overhead spotlights to illuminate his backyard, and I gaze out at the light snow that’s falling. It’s mesmerizing, and I make a little wish that Tori’s blessed with something similar on her wedding day. The dishwasher beeps softly as I turn it on, and soft guitar music carries over as Andre begins to play.
Tori launches into the story of our childhood garage band and offers to show Andre how she can break a guitar string with a single pluck. He declines before I sit next to him. The conversation moves on to more family stories as Adrian tortures Andre with a few.
When there is a lull, Ginny asks, “Did you all know that Andre and Nessa are writing a song?”
I roll my eyes at her, and Tori says, “You need to sing it. I’m sure it’s great.”
I shake my head, and Adrian says, “Oh come on. I know my brother’s talent. We need to hear it.”
I glance at Andre
Keith and Tori sit with us to eat. I drag my clam through butter and put it in my mouth. I moan a little at the flavor I do enjoy. Andre is next to me, and his hand squeezes my thigh. I imagine he’s remembering an earlier version of my small noise.
“So,” says Keith, “since we sent you guys down to Brunswick, I hear things have settled down.”
Adrian says, “Yeah. We had a little scuffle the first week, but Brady was right. Just our presence has calmed the La Verdier clan down.”
I glance quickly at Ginny, and her eyes are wide, so I ask, “What are you talking about?”
Andre says, “My brothers and I were sent to your town to keep a rogue clan of werebear from causing more trouble.”
I recall the security boxes that popped up on campus over Thanksgiving and the new rule about night escorts that led to meeting my true mate. “Ah. I wondered what the heightened security was all about.”
Ginny says, “You mean we were in danger all this time, and nobody told us?”
Adrian says, “Actually, only a select few are in danger. But we know who you are, and you’re all under surveillance.” He winks at her. “Some more than others.”
“Wait. Surveillance?” I ask.
“Yes,” says Tori. “Apparently word got out that a spell could be cast on human women with werebear genes to be called to more than just the Le Roux clan.” Her beer bottle thumps down on the table harder than necessary. “It was only a matter of time before less-than-honorable werebear figured out how to use it to their advantage.”
Ginny says, “Oh my god. Who else on campus is like us?”
Adrian licks butter off his fingers and sighs. “I’m not sure we should say. These women could go on to live perfectly normal human lives, and it might be best if they never have any idea.”
I think about the night Tori came to visit us and turned my world upside down when she told us that our father was a werebear. I place my hand on Andre’s arm, and the heat of him on my palm comforts me. “Or they could be missing out on their destiny. I think they might want to know.”
Tori says, “That’s a discussion for another time. Right now, you all need to finish these clams while I go tend to the lobsters.”
I gaze at Tori, and her stare makes me realize she’s far more mature than I remember. I glance at Ginny and give her a slight nod to let her know I think we should let the subject drop. But I hope the Lindquist brothers don’t plan on keeping us in the dark, because we’ll be demanding answers. For now though, I plan to enjoy my New Year’s Eve.
I get up to help Tori clear the table for the next round of food. I ask, “Anyone need another beer?”
I get a few takers, and caps pop off bottles as I open them. Our next round is lobster, and I’m looking forward to one of my favorite foods. We manage to eat enough shellfish that two large garbage cans are full of remains when we’re done. After Ginny and I clean the kitchen, we all gather in the living room to socialize before midnight comes.
Keith has turned on overhead spotlights to illuminate his backyard, and I gaze out at the light snow that’s falling. It’s mesmerizing, and I make a little wish that Tori’s blessed with something similar on her wedding day. The dishwasher beeps softly as I turn it on, and soft guitar music carries over as Andre begins to play.
Tori launches into the story of our childhood garage band and offers to show Andre how she can break a guitar string with a single pluck. He declines before I sit next to him. The conversation moves on to more family stories as Adrian tortures Andre with a few.
When there is a lull, Ginny asks, “Did you all know that Andre and Nessa are writing a song?”
I roll my eyes at her, and Tori says, “You need to sing it. I’m sure it’s great.”
I shake my head, and Adrian says, “Oh come on. I know my brother’s talent. We need to hear it.”
I glance at Andre
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